Predictive Control for Radio Frequency Coexistence Management in Multi-RF Communication Device

ABSTRACT

The various embodiments provide methods implemented in a multi-RF communication device for managing a victim subscription&#39;s de-sense by proactively implementing an RF coexistence management strategy on the victim subscription when an RF coexistence event starts. In various embodiments, a multi-RF communication device may implement an RF coexistence management strategy by determining when an aggressor subscription will de-sense a victim subscription and configuring the victim to anticipate and mitigate de-sense during the aggressor&#39;s transmissions. Thus, the various embodiments may provide dramatic improvements to the victim&#39;s overall reception performance and overall user experience.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/629,597 entitled “Predictive Control For Radio Frequency CoexistenceManagement In Multi-Sim-Multi-Active (MSMA) Devices” filed Feb. 24,2015, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/030,010, entitled “Predictive Control for Radio Frequency CoexistenceManagement in Multi-SIM-Multi-Active (MSMA) Devices” filed Sep. 18,2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,026,127, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Some new designs of mobile communication devices—such as smart phones,tablet computers, and laptop computers are capable of operating onmultiple RF networks using multiple RF technologies to provide userswith access to multiple separate mobile telephony networks. Examples ofmobile telephony networks include Global System for Mobile Communication(GSM), Time Division Synchronous code Devision Multiple Access(TD-SCDMA), Code Divisiona Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000), and WidebandCode Division Multiple Access (WCDMA). Multi-RF communication devicesmay be referred to as multi-SIM mobile communication devices. Examplemulti-SIM mobile communication devices include mobile phones, laptopcomputers, smart phones, and other mobile communication devices that areenabled to connect to multiple mobile telephony networks. A mobilecommunication device that includes a plurality of SubscriberIdentification Modules (SIMs) and connects to two or more separatemobile telephony networks using two or more separate RF transceivers istermed a “multi-SIM-multi-active” or “MSMA” device. An example MSMAdevice is a “dual-SIM-dual-active” or “DSDA” communication device, whichincludes two SIM cards/subscriptions associated with two mobiletelephony networks.

Because a multi-SIM-multi-active communication device has a plurality ofseparate radio frequency (“RF”) communication circuits or “RF chains,”each subscription on the MSMA communication device may use itsassociated RF chain to communicate with its mobile network at any time.However, because of the proximity of the antennas of the RF chainsincluded in a MSMA communication device, the simultaneous use of the RFchains may cause one or more RF chains to desensitize or interfere withthe ability of the other RF chains to receive RF signals.

Generally, receiver desensitization (referred to as “de-sense”), ordegradation of receiver sensitivity, may result from noise interferenceof a nearby transmitter. For example, when two radios are close togetherwith one transmitting on the uplink—the aggressor communication activity(“aggressor”)—and the other receiving on the downlink—the victimcommunication activity (“victim”)—signals from the aggressor'stransmitter may be picked up by the victim's receiver or otherwiseinterfere with reception of a weaker signal (e.g., from a distant basestation). As a result, the received signals may become corrupted anddifficult or impossible for the victim to decode. Receiver de-sensepresents a design and operational challenge for multi-radio devices,such as MSMA communication devices, due to the necessary proximity oftransmitter and receiver.

Current MSMA communication devices implement a number of techniques toenable a victim subscription suffering from de-sense or poor receptionperformance to improve its reception performance on the device. Forexample, a MSMA communication device may utilize a downlink closed-looppower control system to improve reception performance for a victim byprompting the victim to request that its mobile network increase outputpower, which increases the signal strength (and signal-to-interferenceratio (SIR)) of the incoming signal. In another example, a MSMAcommunication devices may utilize channel quality indicator (CQI)reporting—a measure of the quality of one or more of the victim'scommunication channels—to improve reception performance quality for avictim by prompting the victim to report a low CQI index value,typically indicating a bad channel quality/reception performancequality. After receiving the victim's CQI report, the mobile network mayadjust its output power accordingly, thereby increasing the SIR of theincoming signal that the victim receives.

SUMMARY

The various embodiments provide methods implemented in a multi-RFcommunication device for managing a victim subscription's de-sense byproactively implementing an RF coexistence management strategy on thevictim subscription when an aggressor subscription begins de-sensing thevictim subscription (i.e., when an RF coexistence event starts). In anembodiment, the multi-RF communication device may implement an RFcoexistence management strategy by determining when an aggressorsubscription will de-sense a victim subscription and configuring thevictim to anticipate and mitigate de-sense during the aggressor'stransmissions. Thus, the various embodiments may provide dramaticimprovements to the victim's overall reception performance and theoverall user experience.

In an embodiment, after determining that a victim is being or is aboutto be de-sensed (i.e., that an RF coexistence event has started or willsoon start), the MSMA communication device may determine the extent towhich the aggressor's interference is affecting or is expected to affectthe victim's performance. Based on these determinations, the MSMAcommunication device may determine a power-control remedial action toimplement on the victim that will mitigate the effects of theaggressor's interference on the victim during the aggressor'stransmissions.

In another embodiment, before implementing a determined power-controlremedial action, the MSMA communication device may determine whether thedetermined power-control remedial action is viable. In other words, theMSMA communication device may determine whether the victim and/or thevictim's network has the additional resources necessary to counteractthe aggressor's interference or whether such countermeasures would evenbe sufficient to overcome the de-sense.

In a further embodiment, the MSMA communication device may implement apower-control remedial action when the power-control remedial action isdetermined to be viable. The MSMA communication device may configure thevictim to request an increase in signal strength from its mobile networkjust before the aggressor's scheduled transmissions and to request thatthe victim's mobile network return its signal strength to normal levelsjust after the aggressor's scheduled transmissions.

In another embodiment, the MSMA communication device may implement Rxblanking on the victim when the power-control remedial action is notviable. In an embodiment, the MSMA communication device may implement Rxblanking by pausing the victim's reception operations just before theaggressor begins transmitting and resume those operations just after theaggressor stops transmitting. In a further embodiment, the MSMAcommunication device may cause the victim to notify its mobile networkthat it will be performing Rx blanking (i.e., will not be receiving)during the aggressor's transmissions. By informing the mobile networkthat it will not be receiving during the aggressor's transmissions, thevictim may enable the network to conserve transmission resources.

In another embodiment, the MSMA communication device may implement apower-control remedial action based on the difference between thevictim's current receiver power and the victim's predicted receiverpower during the victim's next reception period. Thus, the MSMAcommunication device may ensure that future power-control remedialactions factor in the victim's current condition and anticipate changesto the victim's reception performance quality during the victim's nextreception period.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitutepart of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of theinvention, and together with the general description given above and thedetailed description given below, serve to explain the features of theinvention.

FIG. 1 is a communication system block diagram of mobile telephonynetworks suitable for use with the various embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a component block diagram of an embodimentmulti-SIM-multi-active communications device.

FIG. 3 is a component block diagram illustrating the interaction betweencomponents of different transmit/receive chains in an embodimentmulti-SIM-multi-active communications device.

FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram illustrating an embodiment method forimplementing an RF coexistence management strategy.

FIG. 5 is a process flow diagram illustrating an embodiment method fordetermining a power-control remedial action based on estimated effectsof an aggressor's interference.

FIG. 6 is a process flow diagram illustrating an embodiment method fordetermining whether a power-control remedial action is viable.

FIGS. 7A-7B are process flow diagrams illustrating embodiment methodsfor implementing a power-control remedial action.

FIGS. 8A-8B are process flow diagrams illustrating embodiment methodsfor implementing Rx blanking on the victim.

FIG. 9 is a timeline diagram illustrating an RF coexistence event.

FIG. 10 is a process flow diagram illustrating an embodiment method forconfiguring a victim to perform Rx blanking.

FIG. 11A is a process flow diagram illustrating an embodiment method forimplementing an RF coexistence management strategy based on a predictedchange in the victim's receiver power during the victim's next receptionperiod.

FIG. 11B is a table illustrating embodiment actions to take during thevictim's next reception period based on the predicted change in thevictim's receiver power.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The various embodiments will be described in detail with reference tothe accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numberswill be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.References made to particular examples and implementations are forillustrative purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention or the claims.

As used herein, the term “MSMA communication device” refers to any oneor all of cellular telephones, smart phones, personal or mobilemulti-media players, personal data assistants, laptop computers,personal computers, tablet computers, smart books, palm-top computers,wireless electronic mail receivers, multimedia Internet enabled cellulartelephones, wireless gaming controllers, and similar personal electronicdevices which include a programmable processor and memory and circuitryfor connecting to at least two mobile communication networks. Thevarious aspects may be useful in mobile communication devices, such assmart phones, and so such devices are referred to in the descriptions ofthe various embodiments. However, the embodiments may be useful in anyelectronic devices, such as a DSDA communication device, that mayindividually maintain a plurality of subscriptions to a plurality ofmobile networks through a plurality of separate radio transceivers.

As described above, one or more subscriptions on a MSMA communicationdevice may negatively affect the performance of other subscriptionsoperating on the MSMA communication device. For example, a DSDAcommunication device may suffer from interference when one subscription(i.e., the “aggressor”) is attempting to transmit while the othersubscription (i.e., the “victim”) in the DSDA communication device issimultaneously attempting to receive transmissions (i.e., a “RFcoexistence event”). During an RF coexistence event, an aggressor'stransmissions may cause severe impairment to the victim's ability toreceive transmissions. This interference may be in the form of blockinginterference, harmonics, intermodulation, and other noises anddistortion received by the victim. Such interference may significantlydegrade the victim's receiver sensitivity, voice call quality and datathroughput. These effects may also result in a reduced network capacity.

Currently, MSMA communication devices implement de-sense mitigationtechniques only after an RF coexistence event has been detected (i.e.,after the victim has already started being de-sensed). Considering thatmitigation efforts take some time to take effect, typical de-sensemitigation strategies are inadequate to improve the victim's performancebecause, in many instances, the MSMA communication device's reactiveremedial actions are completed too late and/or are too insubstantial toeffectively mitigate the victim's de-sense. For example, by the time theMSMA communication device sends a power UP request to the victim's basestation in response to detecting the victim's de-sense, the victim's useof the receiver may have ended (e.g., when the receiver is monitoringpages) or the aggressor may have stopped transmitting, causing thevictim's mobile network to expend additional system resourcesneedlessly.

In overview, the various embodiments provide methods implemented in aMSMA communication device (e.g., a DSDA communication device) formanaging a victim subscription's de-sense by proactively implementing anRF coexistence management strategy on the victim subscription when an RFcoexistence event starts. In various embodiments, a MSMA communicationdevice may implement an RF coexistence management strategy bydetermining when an aggressor subscription will de-sense a victimsubscription and configuring the victim to anticipate and mitigatede-sense during the aggressor's transmissions. Thus, the variousembodiments may provide dramatic improvements to the victim's overallreception performance and the overall user experience.

In various embodiments, the aggressor may employ a time-divisionduplexing (TDD) radio technology (e.g., GSM) such that the aggressor'stransmissions are predictably divided into several recurrent time slotsof a fixed length. Also, in the various embodiments, the MSMAcommunication device may determine the aggressor's transmission scheduleand proactively implement an RF coexistence management strategy tomitigate the effects of the aggressor's interference on the victimduring the aggressor's scheduled transmissions.

In an embodiment, after determining that a victim is being or is aboutto be de-sensed (i.e., that an RF coexistence event has started or willsoon start), the MSMA communication device may determine the extent towhich the aggressor's interference is affecting or is expected to affectthe victim's performance. The MSMA communication device may measure theinterference power affecting or expected to affect the victim andcalculate the effects of that interference on the victim, such as byestimating the difference between the victim's performance when it isbeing de-sensed and when it is not being de-sensed. For example, whenthe victim uses a closed-loop downlink power-control protocol, the MSMAcommunication device may determine the extent to which the aggressor'sinterference degrades the victim'sreceived-signal-power-to-received-interference ratio (i.e., E_(b)/N_(t))compared to a target or “ideal” E_(b)/N_(t). In another example in whichthe victim performs CQI reporting, the MSMA communication device maymeasure the extent to which the aggressor's interference degrades thevictim's CQI index as compared to a target or non-degraded CQI index.

In a further embodiment, based on these determinations, the MSMAcommunication device may determine a power-control remedial action toimplement on the victim that will mitigate the effects of theaggressor's interference on the victim. In an embodiment, the MSMAcommunication device may determine the extent to which the victim'smobile network must increase its output power during the aggressor'stransmissions to overcome the aggressor's interference. Thus, thepower-control remedial actions taken by the victim may depend upon ameasured amount of interference from the aggressor.

In an embodiment, the MSMA communication device may determine whetherthe determined power-control remedial action is viable. In other words,the MSMA communication device may determine whether the victim and/orthe victim's network has the additional resources necessary tocounteract the aggressor's interference or whether such countermeasureswould even be sufficient to overcome the de-sense. For example, the MSMAcommunication device may decide not to implement a power-controlremedial action when the additional output power required of the basestation to overcome the interference is above a certain threshold (e.g.,10+ dB) that indicates an overwhelming amount of de-sense. The MSMAcommunication device may also not implement a power-control remedialaction when the victim's downlink channel power is close to its ceilingor when the victim's network is close to being power-limited on thedownlink.

In further embodiments, the MSMA communication device may implement apower-control remedial action when the power-control remedial action isviable. The MSMA communication device may configure the victim torequest an increase in signal strength from its mobile network justbefore the aggressor's scheduled transmissions and to request that thevictim's mobile network return its signal strength to normal levels justafter the aggressor's scheduled transmissions. In an embodiment in whichthe victim utilizes a downlink closed-loop-downlink-power-controlprotocol, the victim may send to its mobile network a power UP requestjust prior to the aggressor's transmission and a power DOWN request justafter the aggressor's transmission. Similarly, in another embodiment inwhich the victim performs CQI reporting, the victim may report a“degraded” CQI just before the aggressor's next transmission and mayreport a “non-degraded” CQI just after aggressor's scheduletransmissions to return the mobile network's signal power to normal.

In another embodiment, the MSMA communication device may implement Rxblanking on the victim when the power-control remedial action is notviable. In an embodiment, the MSMA communication device may implement Rxblanking by freezing various power-control loops and filters of thevictim and configuring the victim to zero/null samples received duringthe aggressor's scheduled transmissions. In other words, the MSMAcommunication device may pause the victim's reception operations justbefore the aggressor begins transmitting and resume those operationsjust after the aggressor stops transmitting. In a further embodiment,the MSMA communication device may cause the victim to notify its mobilenetwork that it will be performing Rx blanking (i.e., will not bereceiving) during the aggressor's transmissions. Thus, the victim maysend a large power DOWN command or a “cease network transmitting”command to the victim's mobile network just prior to the aggressor'stransmissions and may issue the opposite command just after theaggressor concludes transmitting. By informing the mobile network thatit will not be receiving during the aggressor's transmissions, thevictim may enable the network to conserve transmission resources.

The various embodiments may be implemented within a variety ofcommunication systems 100, such as at least two mobile telephonynetworks, an example of which is illustrated in FIG. 1. A first mobilenetwork 102 and a second mobile network 104 typically include aplurality of cellular base stations 130, 140. A first MSMA communicationdevice 110 may be in communication with the first mobile network 102through a cellular connection 132 to a first base station 130. The firstMSMA communication device 110 may also be in communication with thesecond mobile network 104 through a cellular connection 142 to a secondbase station 140. The first base station 130 may be in communicationwith the first mobile network 102 over a connection 134. The second basestation 140 may be in communication with the second mobile network 104over a connection 144.

A second MSMA communication device 120 may similarly communicate withthe first mobile network 102 through a cellular connection 132 to afirst base station 130. The second MSMA communication device 120 maycommunicate with the second mobile network 104 through a cellularconnection 142 to the second base station 140. Cellular connections 132and 142 may be made through two-way wireless communication links, suchas 4G, 3G, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division MultipleAccess (TDMA), WCDMA, GSM, and other mobile telephony communicationtechnologies.

While the MSMA communication devices 110, 120 are shown connected to twomobile networks 102, 104, in another embodiment (not shown), the MSMAcommunication devices 110, 120 may include two or more subscriptions totwo or more mobile networks and may connect to those subscriptions in amanner similar to those described above.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an embodiment MSMA communicationdevice 200 suitable for implementing the various embodiments. The MSMAcommunication device 200 may include a first SIM interface 202 a, whichmay receive a first identity module SIM-1 204 a that is associated withthe first subscription. The MSMA communication device 200 may alsoinclude a second SIM interface 202 b, which may receive a secondidentity module SIM-2 204 b that is associated with the secondsubscription.

A SIM in the various embodiments may be a Universal Integrated CircuitCard (UICC) that is configured with SIM and/or USIM applications,enabling access to, for example, GSM and/or Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS) networks. The UICC may also providestorage for a phone book and other applications. Alternatively, in aCDMA network, a SIM may be a UICC removable user identity module (R-UIM)or a CDMA subscriber identity module (CSIM) on a card.

Each SIM card may have a central processing unit (CPU), read-only memory(ROM), random-access memory (RAM), electrically erasable programmableread-only memory (EEPROM) and input/output (I/O) circuits. A SIM used inthe various embodiments may contain user account information, aninternational mobile subscriber identity (IMSI), a set of SIMapplication toolkit (SAT) commands and storage space for phone bookcontacts. A SIM card may further store a Home Public-Land-Mobile-Network(HPLMN) code to indicate the SIM card network operator provider. AnIntegrated Circuit Card Identity (ICCID) SIM serial number is printed onthe SIM card for identification.

Each MSMA communication device 200 may include at least one controller,such as a general processor 206, which may be coupled to a coder/decoder(CODEC) 208. The CODEC 208 may in turn be coupled to a speaker 210 and amicrophone 212. The general processor 206 may also be coupled to atleast one memory 214. Memory 214 may be a non-transitory computerreadable storage medium that stores processor-executable instructions.For example, the instructions may include routing communication datarelating to the first or second subscription though a correspondingbaseband-RF resource chain.

The memory 214 may store an operating system (OS), as well as userapplication software and executable instructions. The memory 214 mayalso store application data, such as an array data structure.

The general processor 206 and memory 214 may each be coupled to at leastone baseband modem processor 216. Each SIM in the MSMA communicationdevice 200 (e.g., SIM-1 204 a and SIM-2 204 b) may be associated with abaseband-RF resource chain. Each baseband-RF resource chain may includebaseband modem processor 216 to perform baseband/modem functions forcommunications on a SIM, and one or more amplifiers and radios, referredto generally herein as RF resources. In one embodiment, baseband-RFresource chains may share a common baseband modem processor 216 (i.e., asingle device that performs baseband/modem functions for all SIMs on thewireless device). Alternatively, each baseband-RF resource chain mayinclude physically or logically separate baseband processors (e.g., BB1,BB2).

RF resources 218 a, 218 b may each be transceivers that performtransmit/receive functions for the associated SIM of the wirelessdevice. RF resources 218 a, 218 b may include separate transmit andreceive circuitry, or may include a transceiver that combinestransmitter and receiver functions. The RF resources 218 a, 218 b may becoupled to a wireless antenna (e.g., a first wireless antenna 220 a anda second wireless antenna 220 b). The RF resources 218 a, 218 b may alsobe coupled to the baseband modem processor 216.

In an embodiment, the general processor 206, memory 214, basebandprocessor(s) 216, and RF resources 218 a, 218 b may be included in theMSMA communication device 200 as a system-on-chip. In anotherembodiment, the first and second SIMs 204 a, 204 b and theircorresponding interfaces 202 a, 202 b may be external to thesystem-on-chip. Further, various input and output devices may be coupledto components on the system-on-chip, such as interfaces or controllers.Example user input components suitable for use in the MSMA communicationdevice 200 may include, but are not limited to, a keypad 224 and atouchscreen display 226.

In an embodiment, the keypad 224, touchscreen display 226, microphone212, or a combination thereof, may perform the function of receiving therequest to initiate an outgoing call. For example, the touchscreendisplay 226 may receive a selection of a contact from a contact list orreceive a telephone number. In another example, either or both of thetouchscreen display 226 and microphone 212 may perform the function ofreceiving a request to initiate an outgoing call. For example, thetouchscreen display 226 may receive selection of a contact from acontact list or to receive a telephone number. As another example, therequest to initiate the outgoing call may be in the form of a voicecommand received via the microphone 212. Interfaces may be providedbetween the various software modules and functions in a MSMAcommunication device 200 to enable communication between them, as isknown in the art.

In another embodiment (not shown), the MSMA communication device 200 mayinclude, among other things, additional SIM cards, SIM interfaces, aplurality of RF resources associated with the additional SIM cards, andadditional antennae for connecting to additional mobile networks.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram 300 of transmit and receivecomponents in separate RF resources. For example, a transmitter 302 maybe part of one RF resource 218 a, and a receiver 304 may be part ofanother RF resource 218 b, as described above with reference to FIG. 2.In a particular embodiment, the transmitter 302 may include a dataprocessor 306 that may format, encode, and interleave data to betransmitted. The transmitter 302 may include a modulator 308 thatmodulates a carrier signal with encoded data, for example, by performingGaussian minimum shift keying (GMSK). One or more transmit circuits 310may condition the modulated signal (e.g., by filtering, amplifying, andupconverting) to generate an RF modulated signal for transmission. TheRF modulated signal may be transmitted, for example, to a first basestation 130 via an antenna, such as the first wireless antenna 220 a asshown in FIG. 2.

At the receiver 304, a second wireless antenna 220 b may receive RFmodulated signals from a second base station 140 for example. However,the second wireless antenna 220 b may also receive some RF signalingfrom the transmitter 302, which ultimately competes with the desiredsignal from the second base station 140. One or more receive circuits316 may condition (e.g., filter, amplify, and downconvert) the receivedRF modulated signal, digitize the conditioned signal, and providesamples to a demodulator 318. The demodulator 318 may extract theoriginal information-bearing signal from the modulated carrier wave, andmay provide the demodulated signal to a data processor 320. The dataprocessor 320 may de-interleave and decode the signal to obtain theoriginal, decoded data, and may provide decoded data to other componentsin the wireless device. Operations of the transmitter and the receivermay be controlled by a processor, such as a baseband processor(s) 216illustrated in FIG. 2. In the various embodiments, each of thetransmitter 302 and receiver 304 may be implemented as circuitry thatmay be separated from their corresponding receive and transmitcircuitries (not shown). Alternatively, the transmitter 302 and thereceiver 304 may be respectively combined with corresponding receivecircuitry and transmit circuitry (i.e., as transceivers associated withSIM-1 and SIM-2).

As discussed above, receiver de-sense may occur when data associatedwith a first SIM transmitted on the uplink interferes with receiveactivity on a different transmit/receive chain that may be associatedwith a second SIM. The desired signals may become corrupted anddifficult or impossible to decode. Further, noise from the transmittermay be detected by a power monitor that measures the signal strength ofsurrounding cells, which may cause the MSMA communication device tofalsely determine the presence of a nearby cell site.

By tailoring de-sense mitigating actions (i.e., an RF coexistencemanagement strategy) to various properties of the transmitter andreceiver in a proactive manner, the MSMA communication device mayminimize or mitigate de-sense on the victim while minimizing possibledegradation of service. For example, upon detecting or predicting thatreceiver de-sense is or may occur due to interference from transmitsignals associated with an aggressor SIM in a MSMA communication device,the MSMA communication device may implement a power-control remedialaction or Rx blanking on the victim SIM.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment method 400 that may be implemented in aMSMA communication device for proactively implementing an RF coexistencemanagement strategy. The MSMA communication device may begin performingmethod 400 by determining when an RF coexistence event will next startin block 404. In an embodiment, the MSMA communication device maypreemptively determine when an RF coexistence event will start based onthe MSMA communication device's understanding of the transmission andreception patterns of the two subscriptions. In other words, the MSMAcommunication device may predict when an aggressor will begin tode-sense a victim based on the subscriptions' previous activities orother timing information.

In determination block 406, the MSMA communication device may determinewhether an RF coexistence event is about to start. In an embodiment, theMSMA communication device may determine whether an RF coexistence eventis about to start based on the determination made in block 404 (e.g.,based on the time the RF coexistence event was predicted to start). Inother words, the MSMA communication device may preemptively determinethat an RF coexistence event is about to start to ensure that the MSMAcommunication device has sufficient time to implement an RF coexistencemanagement strategy before the RF coexistence event actually starts. Inthis manner the MSMA communication device enables the victim toimplement a power-control remedial action or Rx blanking in time to befully effective, rather than reacting after de-sense is detected.

If the MSMA communication device determines that an RF coexistence eventis not about to start (i.e., determination block 406=“No”), the MSMAcommunication device may continuously repeat the process indetermination block 406 to recognize when an RF coexistence event isabout to start. When the MSMA communication device determines that an RFcoexistence event is about to start (i.e., determination block406=“Yes”), the MSMA communication device may determine the aggressor'stransmission schedule during the RF coexistence event in block 408. Inan embodiment, the MSMA communication device may implement varioustechniques and methods to determine the aggressor's transmissionschedule. For example, the MSMA communication device may receive theaggressor's transmission schedule from its TDMA mobile network. Inanother example, because the aggressor accesses a TDMA mobile networkand thus performs transmissions according to a predictable pattern, theMSMA communication device may determine the aggressor's futuretransmission schedule based on the aggressor's past transmissionpattern.

In block 410, the MSMA communication device may select a power-controlremedial action based on estimated effects of the aggressor'sinterference on the victim's performance quality. In other words, theMSMA communication device may determine an appropriate remedial actionto improve the victim's performance during the aggressor's transmissionsbased on the predicted nature and amount of the victim's de-sense. In anembodiment, the MSMA communication device may estimate the effects ofthe aggressor's interference using different metrics, such as thedifference between the Eb/Nt of the victim during the aggressor'stransmissions and the Eb/Nt of the victim when the aggressor is nottransmitting or a target/ideal Eb/Nt. Similarly, in another embodiment,the MSMA communication device may calculate the difference in the CQIindex during the aggressor's transmissions and when the aggressor is nottransmitting. Based on the estimated effects of the aggressor'sinterference, the MSMA communication device may determine an appropriateremedial action to mitigate the victim's de-sense. For example, the MSMAcommunication device may determine that the victim's mobile network mustincrease output by 5 dB during the aggressor's transmissions to maintaina minimally acceptable performance quality (i.e., a threshold Eb/Nt orCQI index) for the victim. Determining a power-control remedial actionbased the estimated effects of the aggressor's interference is discussedbelow with reference to FIG. 5.

After determining the power-control remedial action needed to overcomethe aggressor's interference, the MSMA communication device maydetermine whether that power-control remedial action is viable indetermination block 412. In an embodiment, the victim's mobile networkmay only have finite resources with which to enhance the victim'sperformance during the aggressor's transmissions. In other words, thevictim's power-control remedial action may only be viable when thevictim's network has sufficient downlink channel power available toovercome the aggressor's interference. Therefore, the MSMA communicationdevice may check various aspects of the victim's mobile network todetermine whether the power-control remedial action is viable asdiscussed below with reference to FIG. 6.

If the MSMA communication device determines that the power-controlremedial action is viable (i.e., determination block 412 =“Yes”), theMSMA communication device may implement the power-control remedialaction in response to the aggressor's scheduled transmissions in block414. In an embodiment, the proactive power-control remedial actions maycause the victim to request an increase in network power just before theaggressor's transmissions and to request a decrease in network powerjust after the aggressor has finished its transmissions. Implementing apower-control remedial action is further discussed below in relation toFIG. 7A-7B.

In an embodiment, the MSMA communication device may continue toimplement the same power-control remedial action as long as the RFcoexistence event situation remains unchanged. Thus, the MSMAcommunication device may determine in determination block 418 whetherthe RF coexistence event has changed. For example, the aggressor'stransmission schedule may have changed, the amount of interference mayhave increased/decreased, or the victim's Rx signal strength may haveincrease/decreased because the victim reselected to another cell. If theMSMA communication device determines that the RF coexistence event hasnot changed (i.e., determination block 418=“No”), the MSMA communicationdevice may continue implementing the power-control remedial action inresponse to the aggressor's scheduled transmissions in block 414.

Otherwise, if the MSMA communication device determines that the RFcoexistence event has changed (i.e., determination block 418=“Yes”), theMSMA communication device may also determine whether the RF coexistenceevent has ended in determination block 422. For example, the aggressormay have stopped transmitting and may have started performing idlingoperations. If the MSMA communication device determines that thecoexistence event has not ended (i.e., determination block 422=“No”),the MSMA communication device may determine a new power-control remedialaction by repeating the operations beginning with block 408. Otherwise,if the MSMA communication device determines that the RF coexistenceevent has ended (i.e., determination block 422=“Yes”), the MSMAcommunication device may return the victim to normal operations in block426. In an embodiment, the MSMA communication device may ceaseimplementing the power-control remedial action on the victim. Thisprocess may continue in a loop as the MSMA communication device maycontinue determining when an RF coexistence event will next occur inblock 404.

When the MSMA communication device determines that the power-controlremedial action is not viable (i.e., determination block 412=“No”), theMSMA communication device may implement Rx blanking in response to theaggressor's scheduled transmissions in block 416. In an embodiment, Rxblanking may effectively pause the victim's reception activities justbefore the aggressor begins transmitting and resume or re-enable thevictim's reception activities just after the aggressor stopstransmitting. Implementing Rx blanking on the victim is furtherdescribed below with reference to FIGS. 8A-8B.

Rx blanking may continue so long as the de-sense situation exists. Thus,in determination block 420, the MSMA communication device may determinewhether the coexistence event has changed as described above withreference to determination block 418. If the MSMA communication devicedetermines that the RF coexistence situation has not changed (i.e.,determination block 420=“No”), the MSMA communication device maycontinue implementing Rx blanking in response to the aggressor'sscheduled transmissions in block 416. Otherwise, if there is a change inthe coexistence event (i.e., determination block 420=“Yes”), the MSMAcommunication device may determine whether the coexistence situation hasended in determination block 424 as discussed above with reference todetermination block 422. If the MSMA communication device determinesthat the coexistence situation has not ended (i.e., determination block424=“No”), the MSMA communication device may determine a newpower-control remedial action by repeating the operations beginning withblock 408.

If the MSMA communication device determines that the coexistencesituation has ended (i.e., determination block 424=“Yes”), the MSMAcommunication device may return the victim to normal operations in block426. For example, the MSMA communication device may cease implementingRx blanking on the victim if that was the implemented mediationresponse.

These operations may be implemented in a continuous loop, and the MSMAcommunication device may continue determining when an RF coexistenceevent will next occur in block 404.

In further embodiments (not shown), the MSMA communication device mayinclude one or more aggressors and one or more victims. In anembodiment, when there are one or more aggressors and one or morevictims, the MSMA communication may determine in block 404 that an RFcoexistence event will next start when at least one aggressor isscheduled to transmit while at least one victim is scheduled to receive.Similarly, in block 408, the MSMA communication device may determine thecombined transmission schedule for the one or more aggressors'transmission during the RF coexistence event. In other words, thecombined transmission schedule may identify times during which at leastone aggressor is transmitting.

In another embodiment in which there are one or more aggressors and/orvictims on the MSMA communication device, in block 410, the MSMAcommunication device may determine a power-control remedial action foreach of one or more victims based on the combined estimated effects ofthe one or more aggressors' interference. In other words, the MSMAcommunication device may analyze the circumstances for each victimindividually based on one or a plurality of aggressors' combinedinterference. For example, the MSMA communication device may sum the oneor more aggressors' interference when determining how the one or morevictims will be affected. In a further embodiment, in determinationblock 412, the MSMA communication device may determine whether thepower-control remedial action is viable for each of the one or morevictims. For instance, the MSMA communication may determine that thepower-control remedial action is viable for a first victim because thefirst victim's network has excess resources, but the MSMA communicationdevice may determine that the power control remedial action is notviable for another victim for various reasons. As such, in a furtherembodiment, the MSMA communication device may implement thepower-control remedial action in block 414 or implement Rx blanking inblock 416 for each of one or more victims affected by interference bythe one or more aggressors.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment method 410 a that may be implemented ona MSMA communication device for determining a power-control remedialaction based on estimated effects of the aggressor's interference on thevictim's performance quality. The operations of method 410 a implementan embodiment of the operations of block 410 of method 400 describedabove with reference to FIG. 4.

In block 502, the MSMA communication device may determine the victim'starget performance quality. The victim's target performance quality maybe the victim's acceptable or ideal operating condition. In anembodiment, if the victim performs closed-loop power control, thevictim's target performance quality may be a particular reception signalstrength (i.e., an Eb/Nt value) that may cause the victim to receivecommunications from its mobile network at a minimally acceptable level.In another embodiment, if the victim performs CQI reporting, the targetperformance equality may be a minimum channel quality value the victimmust maintain to continue performing at an acceptable level.

In block 504, the MSMA communication device may estimate the aggressor'sinterference power. In an embodiment, the MSMA communication device mayestimate the aggressor's interference power based on the aggressor'scurrent transmitter power, the aggressor's previous transmitter power,or previous measurements of the victim's de-sense caused by theaggressor.

The MSMA communication device may also estimate the victim's degradedperformance quality based on the aggressor's estimated interferencepower in block 506. In an embodiment, the MSMA communication device maycalculate the effects of the aggressor's interference power (e.g., asdetermined in the operations in block 504) on the victim's targetperformance quality.

In block 508, the MSMA communication device may calculate the differencein performance between the victim's target performance quality and thevictim's degraded performance quality. The MSMA communication device mayalso determine the increase in signal power from the victim's networkthat is required to compensate for the difference in performance qualityin block 510. For example, the MSMA communication device may calculatethat, as a result of the aggressor's interference, the victim's degradedperformance quality is 5 dB below the victim's target performancequality. Thus, in this example, the MSMA communication device maydetermine that the victim's network will need to increase the signalpower of communications transmitted to the victim by 5 dB to compensatefor the victim's degraded performance. The MSMA communication device maycontinue by determining whether the power-control remedial action isviable as discussed above regarding determination block 412 of method400 with reference to FIG. 4.

In further embodiments, the MSMA communication device may perform theoperations of method 410 a for each of one or more victims. In suchembodiments, the MSMA communication device may estimate the effects ofone or more aggressors' combined interference power on the performanceof each of the one or more victims and determine the increase in signalpower needed from each victim's network.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment method 412 a that may be implemented ina MSMA communication device for determining whether a power-controlremedial action is viable. The operations of method 412 a implement anembodiment of the operations in determination block 412 of method 400described above with reference to FIG. 4. The MSMA communication devicemay begin performing method 412 a after determining a power-controlremedial action as described above with reference to block 410 of method400 illustrated in FIG. 4.

In determination block 602, the MSMA communication device may determinewhether a required increase in the signal power from the victim'snetwork exceeds a power increase threshold. As described above withreference to block 508 of method 410 a illustrated in FIG. 5, the MSMAcommunication device may determine the required increase in signal power(i.e., how much the victim's network must increase its signal power)that will overcome the anticipated victim de-sense. In an embodiment,the power increase threshold may be the maximum amount the victim'snetwork may increase its signal power to the victim. The power increasethreshold may also indicate the maximum amount the victim's network iscapable of increase its signal power. In another embodiment, the powerincrease threshold may indicate other limitations, such as the maximumamount the victim's network can increase the victim's signal powerbefore adversely affecting other subscriptions on the network. If theMSMA communication device determines that the required increase insignal power from the victim's network exceeds a power increasethreshold (i.e., determination block 602=“Yes”), the MSMA communicationdevice may determine that the power-control remedial action is notviable in block 610. The MSMA communication device may continue byimplementing Rx blanking in response to the aggressor's scheduledtransmissions as described above in regards to block 416 with referenceto FIG. 4.

If the MSMA communication device determines that the required increasein the signal power from the victim's network does not exceed the powerincrease threshold (i.e., determination block 602=“No”), the MSMAcommunication device may determine whether the downlink channel power ofthe victim's network is too close to its ceiling for the victim'snetwork to implement the required increase in signal power indetermination block 604. If the MSMA communication device determinesthat the victim's network's downlink channel power is too close to itsceiling to implement the required increase in signal power (i.e.,determination block 604=“Yes”), the MSMA communication device maydetermine in block 610 that the power-control remedial action is notviable. In that event, the MSMA communication device may implement Rxblanking in response to the aggressor's scheduled transmissions in block416 as described above with reference to FIG. 4.

If the MSMA communication device determines that the downlink channelpower of the victim's network is not too close to its ceiling toimplement the required increase in signal power (i.e., determinationblock 604=“No”), the MSMA communication device may determine whether thevictim's network is too close to being power-limited on the downlink toimplement the required increase in signal power in determination block606. In an embodiment, the victim's network may be incapable ofincreasing the signal power enough to mitigate the effects of theaggressor's interference. If the MSMA communication device determinesthat the victim's network is too close to being power-limited on thedownlink to implement the required increase in signal power (i.e.,determination block 606=“Yes”), the MSMA communication device maydetermine that the power-control remedial action is not viable in block610. In that event the MSMA communication device may implement Rxblanking in response to the aggressor's scheduled transmissions in block416 as described above with reference to FIG. 4.

If the MSMA communication device determines that the victim's network isnot too close to being power-limited on the downlink to implement therequired increase in signal power (i.e., determination block 606 =“No”),the MSMA communication device may determine that the power-controlremedial action is viable in block 608. In that event the MSMAcommunication device may implement the power-control remedial action inresponse to the aggressor's scheduled transmission in block 414 asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 4.

In further embodiments, the MSMA communication device may separatelyperform the operations of method 412 a for each of one or more victimsoperating on the MSMA communication device.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate embodiment methods 414 a, 414 b that may beimplemented in a MSMA communication device for implementing apower-control remedial action on the victim in response to theaggressor's scheduled transmissions. The operations of methods 414 a,414 b implement embodiments of operations in block 414 of method 400described above with reference to FIG. 4. In various embodiments, theMSMA communication device may implement a power-control remedial actionby configuring the victim to perform one or more actions just before theaggressor's transmissions in order to boost the victim's Rx signalstrength (e.g., SIR) during the aggressor's transmissions. The MSMAcommunication device may also configure the victim to perform normallyafter the aggressor completes its transmissions.

FIG. 7A illustrates an embodiment method 414 a for implementing apower-control remedial action when the victim utilizes closed-loopdownlink power controls. The MSMA communication device may perform theoperations of method 414 a when the MSMA communication device determinesthat the power-control remedial action is viable (i.e., determinationblock 412=“Yes”).

In block 702, the MSMA communication device may configure the victim tosend an UP command on the victim's close-loop downlink power control toits mobile network just before the aggressor's scheduled transmissionstarts. The UP command may cause the victim's mobile network (i.e., thevictim's base station) to increase the mobile network's signal power tocompensate for the aggressor's interference. For example, if the MSMAcommunication device determines that the required increase in signalpower from the victim's network is 5 dB, the MSMA communication devicemay configure the victim to send an UP command to the victim's mobilenetwork to increase its output power by 5 dB.

In an embodiment, the MSMA communication device may configure the victimto send multiple, fixed-size power UP commands. In the example describedabove, the MSMA communication device may configure the victim to sendten 0.5 dB power UP commands such that the cumulative effect of thesepower UP commands causes the victim's mobile network to increase itssignal power by 5 dB just before the aggressor's transmissions.

In another embodiment, the MSMA communication device may configure thevictim to send a variable power UP command that avoids the need formultiple, fixed-step power UP commands. In such an embodiment, the powerUP command may request an increase in output power of an arbitrary sizerather than a fixed size. In the example described above, the MSMAcommunication device may configure the victim to send one 5 dB power UPcommand rather than ten 0.5 dB commands. Thus, by enabling the victim tosend just one, variable power UP/DOWN command instead of multiplefixed-size commands, the MSMA communication device may more effectivelyprepare the victim to handle the aggressor's interference.

Returning to FIG. 7A, the MSMA communication device may wait for theaggressor to finish sending its scheduled transmission in block 704. Inother words, the MSMA communication device may wait until the aggressorhas stopped transmitting and/or until victim de-sense is no longeroccurring.

In block 706, the MSMA communication device may configure the victim tosend a DOWN command on the victim's closed-loop downlink power controlto the victim's mobile network just after the aggressor's scheduledtransmission finishes. In an embodiment, the power DOWN commands mayreturn the signal power of the victim's mobile network to normal levelwhen the aggressor is not transmitting. For example, if the victim senta power UP command of 5 dB just before the aggressor's transmission, thevictim may send a power DOWN command of 5 dB just after the aggressor'stransmission.

The MSMA communication device may determine whether the coexistenceevent has changed in determination block 418 of method 400 as describedabove with reference to FIG. 4.

FIG. 7B illustrates an embodiment method 414 b for implementing apower-control remedial action when the victim utilizes CQI reporting.The MSMA communication device may begin performing the operations ofmethod 414 a when the MSMA communication device determines that thepower-control remedial action is viable (i.e., determination block412=“Yes”).

In block 712, the MSMA communication device may configure the victim tosend a degraded CQI report to the victim's mobile network just beforethe aggressor's scheduled transmission starts. In an embodiment, the“degraded” CQI report may be an estimate of the victim's CQI indexduring the aggressor's transmissions. For example, if the MSMAcommunication device previously determined that the required signalpower increase is 3 dB, the MSMA communication device may configure thevictim to fabricate a CQI report that causes the victim's mobile networkto increase its signal power by 3 dB just before the aggressor'sscheduled transmission time.

In block 704, the MSMA communication device may wait for the aggressorto finish sending its scheduled transmission and/or until victimde-sense is no longer occurring as described above with reference toFIG. 7A.

In block 716, the MSMA communication device may configure the victim tosend a non-degraded CQI report to the victim's mobile network justbefore the aggressor's scheduled transmission finishes. In anembodiment, the “non-degraded” CQI report may cause the victim's mobilenetwork to return its signal power to a normal level. In other words,the victim's mobile network may reduce its signal power to normal levelswhen the aggressor is not transmitting because the extra signal power isnot necessary.

The MSMA communication device may determine whether the coexistenceevent has changed in determination block 418 of method 400 as describedabove with reference to FIG. 4.

In further embodiments, the MSMA communication device may separatelyperform the operations of methods 414 a, 414 b for each of one or morevictims operating on the MSMA communication device for whichimplementing the power-control remedial action is determined to beviable.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate embodiment methods 416 a, 416 b that may beimplemented in a MSMA communication device for implementing Rx blankingon the victim during the aggressor's scheduled transmissions. Theoperations of methods 416 a, 416 b implement embodiments of operationsin block 416 of method 400 described above with reference to FIG. 4. Invarious embodiments, the MSMA communication device may implement Rxblanking on the victim by configuring the victim to indicate to thevictim's mobile network just before the aggressor's scheduledtransmissions that the victim will be performing Rx blanking during theaggressor's transmissions, thereby saving the mobile network'sresources. The victim may perform Rx blanking by, among other things,nulling or ignoring samples received during the aggressor's scheduledtransmissions. Rx blanking is described in further detail below withreference to FIGS. 9 and 10. The MSMA communication device may alsoconfigure the victim to perform normally after the aggressor completesits transmissions.

FIG. 8A illustrates an embodiment method 416 a for implementing Rxblanking on a victim that utilizes closed-loop downlink power control.In block 802, the MSMA communication device may configure the victim tosend a large DOWN or “cease transmitting” command to the victim's mobilenetwork just before the aggressor's scheduled transmission starts. In anembodiment, when the MSMA communication device determines that a powercontrol remedial action is not viable, the MSMA communication device mayattempt to alert the victim's mobile network that the victim will beperforming Rx blanking (i.e., not receiving signals) during theaggressor's scheduled transmissions.

In block 804, the MSMA communication device may configure the victim toperform Rx blanking during the aggressor's scheduled transmissions. Inan embodiment, the victim may ignore any signals received during theaggressor's transmission period.

In block 806, the MSMA communication device may configure the victim tosend a large power UP command or a “resume transmitting” command to thevictim's mobile network just after the aggressor's scheduledtransmission finishes. In an embodiment, the MSMA communication devicemay cause the victim to instruct the victim's mobile network to resumenormal operations (e.g., normal signal power, etc.) when the aggressoris not transmitting. The MSMA communication device may determine whetherthe coexistence event has changed in determination block 420 of method400 as described above with reference to FIG. 4.

FIG. 8B illustrates an embodiment method 416 b for implementing Rxblanking on a victim that utilizes CQI reporting. In block 812, the MSMAcommunication device may configure the victim to send a “ceasetransmitting” command just before the aggressor's scheduled transmissionstarts. As discussed above, the MSMA communication device may enable thevictim's network to conserve system resources by causing the victim toinstruct the mobile network to cease network transmissions during theaggressor's scheduled transmissions. The MSMA communication device mayalso configure the victim to perform Rx blanking during the aggressor'sscheduled transmission in block 804 of method 416 a as described abovewith reference to FIG. 8A.

In block 816, the MSMA communication device may configure the victim tosend a “resume transmitting” command to the victim's mobile network justafter the aggressor's scheduled transmission finishes. In an embodiment,the MSMA communication device may cause the victim's mobile network toresume the victim's normal reception activities when the aggressor isnot de-sensing the victim (i.e., when the victim is not performing Rxblanking). The MSMA communication device may determine whether thecoexistence event has changed in determination block 420 of method 400as discussed above with reference to FIG. 4.

In further embodiments, the MSMA communication device may separatelyperform the operations of methods 416 a, 416 b for each of one or morevictims operating on the MSMA communication device for whichimplementing the power-control remedial action is determined not to beviable.

FIG. 9 is a timeline diagram 900 illustrating a sequence of operationsin which a victim performs Rx blanking during an RF coexistence event950. As discussed above, when a MSMA communication device determinesthat power-control remedial action is not viable, the MSMA communicationdevice may configure the victim 904 to perform Rx blanking during thetransmissions of the aggressor 902. As illustrated in FIG. 9, when theaggressor 902 is transmitting (e.g., transmission periods 910 a and 910b), the victim 904 may be configured to implement corresponding periodsof Rx blanking 920 a and 920 b, when the aggressor 902 is nottransmitting (e.g., non-transmission periods 912 a and 912 b), thevictim 904 may revert to normal receiving operations 922 a and 922 b.

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment method 804 a that may be implementedin a MSMA communication device for configuring a victim to perform Rxblanking. The operations of method 804 a implement an embodiment of theoperations in block 804 of methods 800 a, 800 b described above withreference to FIG. 8A and 8B. The MSMA communication device may beginperforming method 804 a either after configuring the victim to eithersend a large DOWN or “cease transmitting” command in block 802 of method416 a described above with reference to FIG. 8A, or after configuringthe victim to send a “cease transmitting” command in block 812 of method416 b as described above with reference to FIG. 8B. In other words, theMSMA communication device may configure the victim to begin performingRx blanking after the victim notifies its mobile network that it willnot be receiving signals during the aggressor's transmissions.

Since method 804 a is implemented after the MSMA communication devicehas determined the aggressor's transmission schedule (e.g., in block 408of method 400 described above with reference to FIG. 4), the MSMAcommunication device may configure the victim to perform various actionsdepending on when the aggressor is transmitting. This may beaccomplished via a programmable timer, a scheduler, or loop algorithm,the latter of which is illustrated in determination block 1002 in whichthe MSMA communication device may determine whether the aggressor hasstarted or is about to start transmitting. This loop of monitoring theaggressor's transmission status may continue so long as the aggressor isnot about to begin transmitting (i.e., determination block 1002=“No”).When the MSMA communication device determines that the aggressor hasstarted or is about to start transmitting (i.e., determination block1002=“Yes”), the MSMA communication device may configure the victim tonull samples during the aggressor's transmissions in block 1004. In anembodiment, the victim may null samples by zeroing or ignoring thesamples it receives during the aggressor's transmission periods.

In block 1006, the MSMA communication device may freeze the victim'sloops and/or filters. In an embodiment, such loops and filters mayinclude, for example, a low-noise amplifier, an automatic gain control,a pilot filter, a received signal strength indication, noise power,TTL/FTL, channel estimation, covariance, quasi-linear interferencecancellation, and carrier-to-interference estimation. In an embodimentin which the victim is 1×/EV-DO, the loops and filter may include pilotfilters, received signal strength indicator filters, covariance filters,channel estimation, and carrier-to-interference ratio estimation. Inanother embodiment, instead of freezing loops and filters in block 1006,the MSMA communication device may increase the loop bandwidths at thevictim's receiver (e.g., DC loop, automatic gain control, etc.).

In block 1008, the MSMA communication device may maintain the victim'sdownlink/forward link power control. The MSMA communication device mayalso maintain the victim's uplink/reverse link power control in block1010.

In determination block 1012, the MSMA communication device may determinewhether the aggressor has finished transmitting. This monitoring of theaggressor's transmission state may continue so long as the MSMAcommunication device determines that the aggressor is transmitting(i.e., determination block 1012=“No”), the victim may continueperforming Rx blanking during the aggressor's transmissions. When theMSMA communication device determines that the aggressor has finishedtransmitting (i.e., determination block 1012=“Yes”), the MSMAcommunication device may configure the victim to resume normaloperations in block 1014. For example, the MSMA communication device mayunfreeze the victim's loops and filters and may configure the victim todiscontinue nulling received samples.

In an embodiment in which the victim utilizes closed-loop downlink powercontrol, the MSMA communication device may configure the victim to senda large UP or “resume transmitting” command to the victim's network justafter the aggressor finishes transmitting in block 806 of method 416 aas described above with reference to FIG. 8A. In an embodiment in whichthe victim utilizes CQI reporting, the MSMA communication deviceconfigure the victim to send a “resume transmitting” command to thevictim's network just after the aggressor finished transmitting in block816 of method 416 b as described above with reference to FIG. 8B.

In further embodiments, the MSMA communication device may separatelyperform the operations of method 804 a for each of one or more victimsoperating on the MSMA communication device that are configured toperform Rx blanking.

FIG. 11A illustrates an embodiment method 1100 that may be implementedin a MSMA communication device for implementing a power-control remedialaction during a victim's next reception period. In an embodiment, theMSMA communication device may implement a power-control remedial actionbased on the difference between the victim's current receiver power andthe victim's predicted receiver power during a next reception period.The MSMA communication device may perform the operations of method 1100to ensure that future power-control remedial actions factor in thevictim's current condition and anticipate changes to the victim'sreception performance quality during the next reception period.

In block 1102, the MSMA communication device may estimate the victim'scurrent reception performance quality. In an embodiment, the MSMAcommunication device may estimate the victim'ssignal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) or another measure of thevictim's signal quality that reflects the effects ofinterference/de-sense from an aggressor (e.g., E_(b)/N_(t)). In anotherembodiment, the MSMA communication device may initially estimate thevictim's current reception performance quality and implement a powercontrol change to cause the victim's current SINR to match a targetquality (e.g., by requesting the victim's mobile network to increase itsdownlink power to account for the aggressor's interference).

In block 1104, the MSMA communication device may determine the victim'snext reception period. In an embodiment, the MSMA communication devicemay have received a schedule of the victim's reception periods from thevictim's mobile network. In another embodiment, the MSMA communicationdevice may have determined a pattern of the victim's reception periodsbased on the victim's prior reception operations.

In determination block 1106, the MSMA communication device may determinewhether the victim's next reception period is about to start. In anembodiment, the MSMA communication device may attempt to anticipate thevictim's next reception period in order to have sufficient time toimplement a power-control remedial action when necessary. For example,the MSMA communication device may give itself enough time to determinethe power-control remedial action to take during the victim's nextreception period and to implement that power-control remedial actionjust before the victim's next reception period begins. When the MSMAcommunication device determines that the victim's next reception periodis not about to start (i.e., determination block 1106=“No”), the MSMAcommunication device may continuously repeat the process indetermination block 1106 to recognize when the victim's next receptionperiod is about to start.

When the MSMA communication device determines that the victim's nextreception period is about to start (i.e., determination block 1106=“Yes”), the MSMA communication device may determine the aggressor'stransmission schedule during the victim's next reception period in block1108. In an embodiment, the MSMA communication device may determine theaggressor's transmission schedule during the victim's next receptionperiod in a manner similar to determining the aggressor's transmissionsschedule during an RF coexistence event in block 408 of method 400described above with reference to FIG. 4. For example, the MSMAcommunication device may receive the aggressor's transmission schedulefrom the aggressor's mobile network and determine whether the aggressoris scheduled to transmit during the victim's next reception period. Inanother embodiment, the MSMA communication device may use theaggressor's transmission schedule to determine whether the victim willbe affected by the aggressor during the next reception period.

In block 1110, the MSMA communication device may estimate the victim'sreception performance quality during the next reception period based onthe aggressor's transmission schedule. In an embodiment, the MSMAcommunication device may predict the effects of the aggressor'sinterference (if any) on the victim's performance during the nextreception period. For example, based on the aggressor's transmissionschedule, the MSMA communication device may predict that the aggressorwill not transmit during the next reception period, which may improvethe victim's reception performance quality if the victim is currentlybeing de-sensed. In another example, the MSMA communication device maydetermine that the victim's performance quality during the nextreception period may be degraded because the aggressor may begintransmitting during the next reception period.

In determination block 1112, the MSMA communication device may determinewhether there is a difference between the victim's current receptionperformance quality and the victim's predicted reception performancequality during the next reception period. In an embodiment, the MSMAcommunication device may calculate the change to the victim's SINR thatoccurs during the next reception period. For instance, if the MSMAcommunication device predicts that the aggressor will begin de-sensingthe victim during the next reception period, the MSMA communicationdevice may calculate the corresponding decrease in the victim's SINRduring the next reception period. In another example, the MSMAcommunication device may calculate an increase in the victim's SINR orE_(b)/N_(t) when the MSMA communication device predicts that theaggressor will stop de-sensing the victim before the next receptionperiod starts.

When the MSMA communication device determines that there is nodifference between the victim's current reception performance qualityand the victim's predicted reception performance quality during the nextreception period (i.e., determination block 1112=“No”), the process maycontinue in a loop as the MSMA communication device may continue byestimating the victim's current reception quality in block 1102. Inother words, when the MSMA communication device determines that therewill be no change in the victim's reception performance quality duringthe next reception period (e.g., the aggressor will continuetransmitting or will continue not transmitting during this period), theMSMA communication device may not implement a power-control remedialaction because the victim's situation will remain the same.

When the MSMA communication device determines that there is a difference(i.e., determination block 1112=“Yes”), the MSMA communication devicemay determine a power-control remedial action based on the differencebetween the victim's current reception performance quality and thevictim's predicted reception performance quality during the nextreception period in block 1114.

In an embodiment, the MSMA communication device may implement apower-control remedial action just before the next reception periodbegins based on whether the difference indicates more or lessinterference during the next reception period. In another embodiment,the MSMA communication device may implement power-control remedialactions when there is a difference as illustrated in table 1130described below with reference to FIG. 11B.

FIG. 11B illustrates a table 1130 that describes embodimentpower-control remedial actions that the MSMA communication device mayimplement just before the victim's next reception period begins based onthe difference between the victim's current reception performancequality and the victim's predicted reception performance quality duringthe next reception period. In various embodiments, the MSMAcommunication device may accomplish this determination by determiningwhether the victim is currently being de-sensed (i.e., whether thevictim's current reception performance quality is affected by theaggressor) and whether the victim is predicted to be de-sensed duringthe next reception period (i.e., whether the MSMA communication devicepredicts that victim's reception performance quality during the nextreception period will be affected by the aggressor).

In further embodiments, the MSMA communication device may implement thepower-control remedial action by configuring the victim to send powercontrol messages to the victim's mobile network just before the nextreception period begins. For example, the MSMA communication device mayconfigure the victim to send an UP/DOWN command on the victim'sclosed-loop downlink power control to increase/decrease the victim'sreceiver signal strength or a degraded/non-degraded CQI report toincrease/decrease the code rate of the received signal just before thenext reception period starts.

In an embodiment, when the MSMA communication device determines that thevictim is currently being de-sensed and that the victim is predicted tocontinue being de-sensed during the next reception period, just beforethe next reception period begins, the MSMA communication device mayimplement a power-control remedial action based on the estimateddifference between the victim's current reception performance qualityand the victim's reception performance quality during the next receptionperiod. In other words, the MSMA communication device may determinewhether the victim will suffer more or less de-sense during the nextreception period than the victim is currently experiencing because of achange in the aggressor's transmitter power. In an embodiment, the MSMAcommunication device may configure the victim to send a power controlcommand (e.g., an UP/DOWN command or a degraded/non-degraded CQI report)to the victim's mobile network that reflects the estimated difference.In another embodiment (not shown), the MSMA communication device mayalso configure the victim to operate normally when the predicteddifference is not substantial or does not exceed a particular threshold(e.g., the aggressor's transmitter power increases very slightly).

In an embodiment, when the MSMA communication device determines that thevictim is currently being de-sensed but will not be de-sensed during thenext reception period, the MSMA communication device may similarlyimplement a power-control remedial action based on the estimateddifference between the victim's current reception performance qualityand the victim's reception performance quality during the next receptionperiod. However, in this case, the MSMA communication device mayconfigure the victim to send a DOWN power command or a non-degraded CQIreport to the victim's network just before the next reception periodbecause the victim is predicted not to be de-sensed during the nextreception period. By predicating that the aggressor will stop de-sensingthe victim during the next reception period, the MSMA communicationdevice may save network resources by proactively configuring the victimto reduce the victim's reception power during the next reception period.

In an embodiment, when the MSMA communication device determines that thevictim is not currently being de-sensed but that the victim will bede-sensed during the next reception period, the MSMA communicationdevice may implement a power-control remedial action based on theestimated difference between the victim's current reception performancequality and the victim's reception performance quality during the nextreception period. In this case, the MSMA communication device mayanticipate that the victim's reception performance quality will benegatively affected because of the aggressor's transmissions. In anembodiment, the MSMA communication device may implement a power-controlremedial action that increases the victim's receiver power during thenext reception period to account for this predicted de-sense. Forexample, just before the next reception period begins, the MSMAcommunication device may configure the victim to send a power UP commandor a degraded CQI report to the victim's network, thereby increasing thevictim's reception performance quality during the next reception periodto account for the aggressor's interference.

In another embodiment, when the MSMA communication device determinesthat the victim is not currently being de-sensed and that the victimwill not be de-sensed during the next reception period, the MSMAcommunication device may configure the victim to perform normally ortake no additional action during the next reception period. In otherwords, the MSMA communication may take no action because the victim'sreception performance quality is not predicted to change during the nextreception period.

Returning to FIG. 11A, in determination block 1116, the MSMAcommunication device may determine whether the power-control remedialaction is viable. In an embodiment, the MSMA communication device maymake such a determination based on various criteria, such as thecriteria discussed with reference to determination block 412 of method400 described above with reference to FIG. 4. For example, the MSMAcommunication device may determine whether the victim's mobile networkhas the resources to implement a power UP/DOWN command.

If the MSMA communication device determines that the power-controlremedial action is viable (i.e., determination block 1116=“Yes”), theMSMA communication device may implement the power-control remedialaction during the victim's next reception period in block 1118. Forexample, the MSMA communication device may implement one of the fouractions listed in the table shown in FIG. 11B depending on the estimateddifference between the victim's current reception performance qualityand the victim's predicted reception performance quality during the nextreception period.

If the MSMA communication device determines that the power-controlremedial action is not viable (i.e., determination block 1116=“No”), theMSMA communication device may implement Rx blanking during the victim'snext reception period in block 1120. In an embodiment, the MSMAcommunication device may configure the victim to send a large power DOWNor a “cease transmitting” command to the victim's mobile network justbefore the next reception period and to send an UP or “resumetransmitting” command to the victim's mobile network just after the nextreception period ends.

After either implementing the power-control remedial action orimplementing Rx blanking during the victim's next reception period, theprocess may continue in a loop as the MSMA communication device maycontinue estimating the victim's current reception quality in block1102.

In an embodiment, the MSMA communication device may include one or moreaggressors and one or more victims. When there are one or moreaggressors and one or more victims, the MSMA communication device mayperform the operations of method 1100 for each victim operating on theMSMA communication device. In such embodiments, it is anticipated thatthe MSMA communication device may determine the difference between eachvictim's current reception performance quality and each victim'spredicted reception performance quality during the next reception periodbased on the combined interference from the one or more aggressors.

The foregoing method descriptions and the process flow diagrams areprovided merely as illustrative examples and are not intended to requireor imply that the steps of the various embodiments must be performed inthe order presented. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the artthe order of steps in the foregoing embodiments may be performed in anyorder. Words such as “thereafter,” “then,” “next,” etc. are not intendedto limit the order of the steps; these words are simply used to guidethe reader through the description of the methods. Further, anyreference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using thearticles “a,” “an” or “the” is not to be construed as limiting theelement to the singular.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, andalgorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosedherein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, orcombinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability ofhardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules,circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms oftheir functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented ashardware or software depends upon the particular application and designconstraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans mayimplement the described functionality in varying ways for eachparticular application, but such implementation decisions should not beinterpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the presentinvention.

The hardware used to implement the various illustrative logics, logicalblocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the aspectsdisclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purposeprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) orother programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic,discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed toperform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor maybe a microprocessor, but, in the alternative, the processor may be anyconventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. Aprocessor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices,e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality ofmicroprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSPcore, or any other such configuration. Alternatively, some steps ormethods may be performed by circuitry that is specific to a givenfunction.

In one or more exemplary aspects, the functions described may beimplemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof.If implemented in software, the functions may be stored as one or moreinstructions or code on a non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium or non-transitory processor-readable storage medium. The steps ofa method or algorithm disclosed herein may be embodied in aprocessor-executable software module which may reside on anon-transitory computer-readable or processor-readable storage medium.Non-transitory computer-readable or processor-readable storage media maybe any storage media that may be accessed by a computer or a processor.By way of example but not limitation, such non-transitorycomputer-readable or processor-readable storage media may include RAM,ROM, EEPROM, FLASH memory, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage,magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any othermedium that may be used to store desired program code in the form ofinstructions or data structures and that may be accessed by a computer.Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc,optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and blu-raydisc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discsreproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above are alsoincluded within the scope of non-transitory computer-readable andprocessor-readable media. Additionally, the operations of a method oralgorithm may reside as one or any combination or set of codes and/orinstructions on a non-transitory processor-readable storage mediumand/or computer-readable storage medium, which may be incorporated intoa computer program product.

The preceding description of the disclosed embodiments is provided toenable any person skilled in the art to make or use the presentinvention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles definedherein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is notintended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to beaccorded the widest scope consistent with the following claims and theprinciples and novel features disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for implementing a radio frequency (RF)coexistence management strategy on a multi-RF communication device formanaging effects of an aggressor communication activity (“aggressoractivity”) on a victim communication activity (“victim activity”),comprising: determining when an RF coexistence event will next start,wherein: the RF coexistence event comprises a period in which theaggressor activity overlaps in time with the victim activity , and theaggressor activity is supported by a first wireless communicationnetwork associated with a first RF resource and the victim activity issupported by a second wireless communication network associated with asecond RF resource; determining whether a selected power-controlremedial action is viable; and implementing the selected power-controlremedial action upon the start of the next RF coexistence event inresponse to determining that the selected power-control remedial actionis viable.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting apower-control remedial action based on estimated effects of a combinedinterference of a plurality of aggressor activities on the victimactivity's performance quality.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: determining whether the RF coexistence event has ended; andreturning the victim activity to normal operations in response todetermining that the RF coexistence event has ended.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein implementing the selected power-control remedial actioncomprises: sending a degraded channel quality indicator (CQI) report tothe victim activity's mobile network just before the aggressor activityis about to start; waiting for the aggressor activity to finish; andsending a non-degraded CQI report to the victim activity's mobilenetwork just after the aggressor activity is finished.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising selecting the selected power-controlremedial action based on estimated effects of the aggressor activity'sinterference on the victim activity's performance quality by:determining a target performance quality of the victim activity;estimating an interference power of the aggressor activity; estimating adegraded performance quality of the victim activity based on theestimated interference power of the aggressor activity; calculating adifference in performance quality between the target performance qualityand the degraded performance quality; and determining an increase insignal power of the victim activity's network to compensate for thedifference in performance quality.
 6. The method of claim 5, furthercomprising: determining that the power-control remedial action is notviable when: the increase in signal power from the victim activity'snetwork exceeds a power increase threshold, a downlink channel power ofthe victim activity's network is too close to a ceiling to implement therequired increase in signal power, or the victim activity's network istoo close to being power-limited on a downlink to implement the requiredincrease in signal power, or any combination thereof; and determiningthat the power-control remedial action is viable when: the increase insignal power from the victim activity's network does not exceed thepower increase threshold, the downlink channel power of the victimactivity's network is not too close to the ceiling to implement therequired increase in signal power, or the victim activity's network isnot too close to being power-limited on the downlink to implement therequired increase in signal power, or any combination thereof.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein implementing the selected power-controlremedial action comprises: sending a power UP command on the victimactivity's closed-loop downlink power control just before the aggressoractivity is about to start; waiting for the aggressor activity tofinish; and sending a power DOWN command on the victim activity'sclosed-loop downlink power control just after the aggressor activityfinishes.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising, responsive to adetermination that the power-control remedial action is not viable:sending one of a power DOWN command or a “cease transmitting” command tothe victim activity's mobile network just before the aggressor activityis about to start; performing receive blanking during the aggressoractivity; and sending one of a large power UP command or a “resumetransmitting” command to the victim activity's mobile network just afterthe aggressor activity.
 9. The method of claim 4, wherein the aggressoractivity comprises transmission operations.
 10. A multi-RF communicationdevice, comprising: a memory; a plurality of radio frequency (RF)resources; and a processor coupled to the memory, and the plurality ofRF resources, wherein the processor is configured withprocessor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising:determining when an RF coexistence event between a victim communicationactivity (“victim activity”) and an aggressor communication activity(“aggressor activity”) will next start, wherein: the RF coexistenceevent comprises a period in which the aggressor overlaps in time withthe victim activity; and the aggressor activity is supported by a firstwireless communication network associated with a first RF resource andthe victim activity is supported by a second wireless communicationnetwork associated with a second RF resource; determining whether aselected power-control remedial action is viable; and implementing theselected power-control remedial action upon the start of the next RFcoexistence event in response to determining that the selectedpower-control remedial action is viable.
 11. The multi-RF communicationdevice of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured withprocessor-executable instructions to select a power-control remedialaction based on estimated effects of a combined interference of aplurality of aggressor activities on the victim activity's performancequality.
 12. The multi-RF communication device of claim 10, wherein theprocessor is configured with processor-executable instructions toperform operations further comprising: determining whether the RFcoexistence event has ended; and returning the victim activity to normaloperations in response to determining that the RF coexistence event hasended.
 13. The multi-RF communication device of claim 10, wherein theprocessor is configured with processor-executable instructions toperform operations such that implementing the selected power-controlremedial action comprises: sending a degraded channel quality indicator(CQI) report to the victim activity's mobile network just before theaggressor activity is about to start; waiting for the aggressor activityto finish; and sending a non-degraded CQI report to the victimactivity's mobile network just after the aggressor activity is finished.14. The multi-RF communication device of claim 10, wherein the processoris further configured with processor-executable instructions to select apower-control remedial action based on estimated effects of theaggressor activity's interference on the victim activity's performancequality by: determining a target performance quality of the victimactivity; estimating an interference power of the aggressor activity;estimating a degraded performance quality of the victim activity basedon the estimated interference power of the aggressor activity;calculating a difference in performance quality between the targetperformance quality and the degraded performance quality; anddetermining an increase in signal power of the victim activity's networkto compensate for the difference in performance quality.
 15. Themulti-RF communication device of claim 14 wherein the processor isfurther configured with processor-executable instructions to performoperations comprising: determining that the power-control remedialaction is not viable when: the increase in signal power from the victimactivity's network exceeds a power increase threshold, a downlinkchannel power of the victim activity's network is too close to a ceilingto implement the required increase in signal power, or the victimactivity's network is too close to being power-limited on a downlink toimplement the required increase in signal power, or any combinationthereof; and determining that the power-control remedial action isviable when: the increase in signal power from the victim activity'snetwork does not exceed the power increase threshold, the downlinkchannel power of the victim activity's network is not too close to theceiling to implement the required increase in signal power, or thevictim activity's network is not too close to being power-limited on thedownlink to implement the required increase in signal power, or anycombination thereof.
 16. The multi-RF communication device of claim 10,wherein the processor is configured with processor-executableinstructions to perform operations such that implementing the selectedpower-control remedial action comprises: sending a power UP command onthe victim activity's closed-loop downlink power control just before theaggressor activity is about to start; waiting for the aggressor activityto finish; and sending a power DOWN command on the victim activity'sclosed-loop downlink power control just after the aggressor activityfinishes.
 16. The multi-RF communication device of claim 10, wherein theprocessor is configured with processor-executable instructions toperform operations further comprising, responsive to a determinationthat the power-control remedial action is not viable: sending one of apower DOWN command or a “cease transmitting” command to the victimactivity's mobile network just before the aggressor activity is about tostart; performing Rx blanking during the aggressor activity; and sendingone of a large power UP command or a “resume transmitting” command tothe victim activity's mobile network just after the aggressor activityfinishes.
 18. The multi-RF communication device of claim 13, wherein theaggressor activity comprises transmission operations.
 19. A multi-RFcommunication device, comprising: means for determining when an RFcoexistence event will next start between an aggressor communicationactivity (“aggressor activity”) and a victim communication activity(“victim activity”), wherein: the RF coexistence event comprises aperiod in which the aggressor overlaps in time with the victim activity,and the aggressor activity is supported by a first wirelesscommunication network associated with the first RF resource and thevictim activity is supported by a second wireless communication networkassociated with the second RF resource; means for determining whetherthe selected power-control remedial action is viable; and means forimplementing the selected power-control remedial action upon the startof the next RF coexistence event in response to determining that thepower-control remedial action is viable.
 20. A non-transitoryprocessor-readable storage medium having stored thereonprocessor-executable software instructions configured to cause aprocessor of a multi-RF communication device to perform operationscomprising: determining when an RF coexistence event will next startbetween an aggressor communication activity (“aggressor activity”) and avictim communication activity (“victim activity”), wherein: the RFcoexistence event comprises a period in which the aggressor overlaps intime with the victim activity, and the aggressor activity is supportedby a first wireless communication network associated with the first RFresource and the victim activity is supported by a second wirelesscommunication network associated with the second RF resource;determining whether the selected power-control remedial action isviable; and implementing the selected power-control remedial action uponthe start of the next RF coexistence event in response to determiningthat the power-control remedial action is viable.